Last week, I wrote a post about a 1979 Chevrolet Caprice station wagon, and waxed on a bit about GM’s big 1977 B-body (full-size) downsizing and how it proved to be a big sales success. Today, I’d like to take a look at Oldsmobile’s take on the General’s downsizing by way of a 1983 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham. This 76K-mile example, surfaced by Tony P. and residing in Sacramento, California, is in pretty fair shape and is a sound example of what kept GM’s middle division a significant go-to brand through the eighties. Here on craigslist, is where you’ll find this stately-looking Oldsmobile four-door sedan, and it’s available for $10,000.
In 1983, Oldsmobile still produced both the luxury-oriented, longer wheelbase Ninety-Eight as well as several trim levels of the more sedate Eighty-Eight, including the Delta 88 Sedan, Delta 88 Royale in coupe and four-door sedan body styles, and the Delta 88 Royale Brougham (bro-ham if you prefer) also in coupe and four-door sedan variations. Oh, and not to be left out was a Custom Cruiser station wagon. Our subject Delta 88 Royale is one of 133K assembled in ’83, while the total Eighty-Eight production count fell just shy of 200K units. Finished in a typically bland, but very popular “Sandstone” hue, this Olds still wears a nice shine, with strong chrome, intact bumper fillers, and a sound-looking vinyl top. The wire wheel covers were all the rage in the eighties, and the new “Vogue” tires are a matter of subjective, and expensive, taste. It would have been nice to get an image or two of this sedan out from under its lean-to, but that’s all the listing included.
Powering this rig is a 140 net HP, Oldsmobile 307 CI V8 (not to be confused with Chevrolet’s 307 V8 offered between ’68 and ’73) married up to a standard equipment three-speed automatic transmission (a four-speed O/D unit was an option). The seller claims, “runs great“, and “Known for a smooth, comfortable ride…”
Check out that velour upholstered monogrammed front bench seat! I must say it seems odd that the monogram is part of the seat bottom and not the backrest, so I’m not sure what to make of that; it seems awkward to be parking one’s derriere on a crest of sorts. The stock interior image of a Delta Royale Brougham’s interior that I uncovered reveals no such artwork, so I’m thinking it’s a later add-on. Beyond that, the innards are pretty standard fare for GM in the mid-eighties. The instrument panel is simple and uninformative, the steering wheel has blown out a small chunk, and the rear seat appears to be in a more worn state than its personalized front companion.
Anyway you measure it, these were popular, dependable, and affordable upscale cars. The V8, rear-wheel drive configuration, one that is rare today, was ubiquitous and taken for granted 43 years ago – my, how times have changed! And it only took about twenty years from this car’s birth for the entire Oldsmobile division to simply disappear – a sad story indeed! Someone will scoop up this sedan, though I don’t know if the seller will attain his ask. What do you think, is this one priced right, or not quite?
Love the front seats!
Beautiful, roomy and comfortable cars.
Yes, I think the price is right. You just don’t see early 80s cars much less finding one this nice. I hope someone gives it a good home
The era of parts falling off indiscriminately on ‘merican iron. Or just rust away. And why Japan clobbered them.
You could get a Toyota that would run for 200K miles and required very little along the way.
Very true @Bluesman as these era American cars, though ride nice, were junk. My first new car was an 82 Datsun 200SX and after that I bought a new a Nissan 86 1/2 Hardbody. Both were great vehicles.No way this is worth anything near 10k!
Japanese cars from that era rust out even worse than the Generals cars.
This sort of car isn’t terribly uncommon in California, a fair number of older people have this style of car socked away in garages.
Why would a seller was the car and take pictures in a garage if it “runs great”? Patient and persistent potential buyers in area with a temperate climate can find something similar for significantly less.
Steve R
Overall it looks really good. I may be wrong but I dont think that trim on the roof is GM factory, maybe it had an aftermarket carriage top on it? If its a 3 speed it may be the THM350 which is a good transmission. Hopefully NOT a THM 200. You’d have to crawl underneath and make sure you don’t see the word Metric on the pan. Hope it goes to a good home.
I’d say it’s been fooled with a bit. The faux convertible top trim by the vinyl top? Those front seats? Those are redone & probably reflect the owners initials.
Definitely been fooled with a bit. All the things you said, plus the front end sits a bit high.
And if it’s the V-8, it’s the four-speed. If it’s a 3-speed, then it’s the V-6.
There were companies that made “special updates” to Lincoln Town Cars, such as faux convertible tops. Was there an equivalent for Oldsmobile?
I remember when the 80s Chevy, Olds, Pontiac, & Cadillac 4 doors were a dime a dozen.
nice car but has had some monkey business done to it. 6k is fair. keep the tires
I could drive that car for 25 years and only do regular maintenance and repair, myself. These are the cars that are easy to keep operating and without the government following you around telling your car how to operate.
As for foreign cars being better than American cars you really need a lesson in physics as the foreign cars are cheap disposable vehicles, did what they were made for, cheap.
Bought at a time in history of 18% interest, and when factories needed to keep their employees working when the economy had been destroyed by the prior administration. No whoever bought this car was a Patriot. And wanted to ride in a very nice car and live in the 1980’s, which will in history be seen as society advancing in technology in leaps and bounds.
The car is an 8K-10K car, it was 15K+ new and is priced right. I would not pay for a new car now and get half the car compared to this V8 luxury car. I would ride a donkey before driving a commuter foreign car. Get A Grip!
Phobia’s